System and method of notifying an owner of a lost item in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method of notifying an owner of a lost item in a vehicle having a vehicle compartment is provided. The method comprises providing at least one sensor to sense the lost item in the vehicle compartment. The method further comprises sensing the lost item on a point relative to a spherical coordinate system to define a sensed item data and determining a position of the lost item in cartesian coordinates based on the sensed item data to define a position data. The method further comprises translating the sensed item data and the position data for visualization of the lost item to define an item image of the lost item relative to the vehicle compartment, and updating an inventory list of lost objects to include the lost item with the item image. The method further comprises identifying the owner of the lost item by way of a perception algorithm, providing notification to the owner of the lost item, and providing viewable access of the item image such that the image is viewed by the owner of the lost item.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates to sensing lost items in vehicles andmore particularly systems and methods of sensing a lost item in avehicle and notifying an owner of the lost item.

As the automotive industry continues with technological advancements,especially in shared vehicles, there will be a continued increase invehicles with multiple users. With the increase in multiple users pervehicle, a likelihood of lost items increases as well.

SUMMARY

Thus, while current ways of identifying a lost item and notifying anowner of the lost item achieve their intended purposes, there is a needfor a new and improved system and method of identifying a lost item andnotify an owner of the lost item in a vehicle compartment.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofnotifying an owner of a lost item in a vehicle having a vehiclecompartment is provided. The method comprises providing at least onesensor to sense the lost item in the vehicle compartment. In thisaspect, the method further comprises sensing the lost item on a pointrelative to a spherical coordinate system to define a sensed item dataand determining a position of the lost item in cartesian coordinatesbased on the sensed item data to define a position data. The methodfurther comprises translating the sensed item data and the position datafor visualization of the lost item to define an item image of the lostitem relative to the vehicle compartment. The method further comprisesupdating an inventory list of lost objects to include the lost item withthe item image and identifying the owner of the lost item by way of aperception algorithm. Furthermore, the method comprises providingnotification to the owner of the lost item and providing viewable accessof the item image such that the image is viewed by the owner of the lostitem.

In one example, the point relative to the spherical coordinate system isdefined by a distance r, a first angle (θ), and a second angle (φ). Thelost item has cartesian coordinates has an x-axis, a y-axis, and az-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθ

In another example, the step of determining the position of the lostitem comprises the sensor being arranged to have two of roll, pitch, andyaw rotational movements when the sensor senses in a fixed location inthe vehicle compartment. In yet another example, the step of determiningthe position of the lost item comprises the sensor being arranged tohave one of roll, pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensorsenses in movement along the x-axis such that the first angle θ iscalculated as:

$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$

In still another example, the step of determining the position of thelost item comprises the sensor being arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor senses in movementalong the x-axis and y-axis such that the second angle φ is calculatedas:

$\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$

In one example, the at least one sensor is fixedly disposed in thevehicle compartment. In another example, the at least one sensor isdisposed in the vehicle compartment and movable along the x-axis. Inanother example, the at least one sensor is disposed in the vehiclecompartment and movable along the x-axis and y-axis. In yet anotherexample, the at least one sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor, an RFIDsensor, or any other suitable sensor without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure.

In one example, the step of identifying the owner of the lost itemcomprises scanning the vehicle compartment. The step of identifyingfurther comprises detecting the user in the vehicle compartment. Thestep of identifying further comprises pairing the user with the lostitem by way of the perception algorithm.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a systemfor notifying an owner of a lost item in a vehicle having a vehiclecompartment is provided. The system comprises at least one sensordisposed in the vehicle compartment and arranged to sense the lost itemon a point relative to a spherical coordinate system to define a senseditem data. In this example, the system further comprises an electroniccontrol unit (ECU) is disposed in the vehicle and in communication withthe at least one sensor. Moreover, the ECU is arranged to determine aposition of the lost item in cartesian coordinates based on the senseditem data to define a position data. The ECU is further arranged totranslate the sensed item data and the position data for visualizationof the lost item to define an item image of the lost item relative tothe vehicle compartment. Additionally, the ECU is arranged to update aninventory list of lost objects to include the lost item with the itemimage. Furthermore, the ECU is arranged to identify the owner of thelost item by way of a perception algorithm.

In this aspect, the system further comprises a cloud server disposedremotely from the vehicle and in communication with the ECU. The cloudserver arranged to provide notification to the owner of the lost item.Moreover, the cloud server arranged to provide viewable access of theitem image such that the image is viewed by the owner of the lost item.

In one embodiment, the point relative to the spherical coordinate systemis defined by a distance r, a first angle (θ), and a second angle (φ).Moreover, the lost item has cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθ

In one embodiment, the ECU being arranged to determine a position of thelost item comprises the sensor being arranged to have two of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor senses in a fixedlocation in the vehicle compartment. In another embodiment, the ECUbeing arranged to determine a position of the lost item comprises thesensor being arranged to have one of roll, pitch, and yaw rotationalmovements when the sensor senses in movement along the x-axis such thatthe first angle θ is calculated as:

$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$

In another embodiment, the ECU being arranged to determine a position ofthe lost item comprises the sensor being arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor senses in movementalong the x-axis and y-axis such that the second angle φ is calculatedas:

$\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$

In one embodiment, the at least one sensor is fixedly disposed in thevehicle compartment. In another embodiment, the at least one sensor isdisposed in the vehicle compartment and movable along the x-axis. In yetanother embodiment, the at least one sensor is disposed in the vehiclecompartment and movable along the x-axis and y-axis. In anotherembodiment, the at least one sensor is one of an ultrasonic sensor andan radio frequency identification sensor.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofnotifying an owner of a lost item in a vehicle having a vehiclecompartment is provided. The method comprises providing at least onesensor to sense the lost item in the vehicle compartment. Moreover, themethod further comprises sensing the lost item on a point relative to aspherical coordinate system to define a sensed item data. In thisaspect, the point is defined by a distance r, a first angle (θ), and asecond angle (φ). The lost item has cartesian coordinates having anx-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθ

The method further comprises determining a position of the lost item incartesian coordinates based on the sensed item data to define a positiondata. The sensor is arranged to have two of roll, pitch, and yawrotational movements when the sensor senses in a fixed location in thevehicle compartment, wherein the sensor is arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor senses in movementalong the x-axis such that the first angle θ is calculated as:

$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$

In this aspect, the sensor is arranged to have one of roll, pitch, andyaw rotational movements when the sensor senses in movement along thex-axis and y-axis such that the second angle φ is calculated as:

$\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$

Moreover, the method comprises translating the sensed item data and theposition data for visualization of the lost item to define an item imageof the lost item relative to the vehicle compartment. Further, themethod comprises updating an inventory list of lost objects to includethe lost item with the item image. Additionally, the method comprisesidentifying the owner of the lost item by way of a perception algorithm.The method further comprises providing notification to the owner of thelost item. Furthermore, the method comprises providing viewable accessof the item image such that the image is viewed by the owner of the lostitem.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for identifying an owner of alost item in a vehicle having a vehicle compartment in accordance withone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a vehicle compartment in which thesystem of FIG. 1 is implemented in accordance with one example.

FIG. 3 is a graph of a spherical coordinate system from cartesiancoordinates are derived for a lost item in one example.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a general method of identifying an owner of alost item in a vehicle having a vehicle compartment for the system inFIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of identifying an owner of a lost itemin a vehicle having a vehicle compartment for the system of FIG. 1 inaccordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of identifying an owner of a lost itemin a vehicle having a vehicle compartment for the system of FIG. 1 inaccordance with another example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

Embodiments and examples of the present disclosure provide systems andmethods of identifying an owner of a lost item in a vehicle compartment.The embodiments and examples provide efficient, accurate, and costeffective ways of identifying a lost item and notifying an ownerthereof. Such examples will not require new hardware on most existingvehicles and will not require any additional hardware on new vehicles.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 10 for notifying an owner 12 of a lost item 14in a vehicle 16 having a vehicle compartment 18 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the system 10 comprisesat least one sensor 20, an electronic control unit (ECU) 22 incommunication with the sensor 20, and a cloud server 24 in communicationwith the ECU 22. Moreover, the cloud server 24 is in communication witha handheld device 26 of the owner 12 of the lost item 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 , the at least one sensor 20 (e.g., anultrasonic sensor) is disposed in the vehicle compartment 18. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2 , there are a plurality of sensors (20, 20 a,20 b, 20 c, 20 d) disposed within the vehicle compartment 18 and havingdetection zones 20′, 20 a′, 20 b′, 20 c′, 20 d′. That is, the sensorsmay be disposed on the ceiling, the floor, the console, the interiorpanel, or in any other suitable location in the vehicle compartment 18without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

As discussed in greater detail below, the sensor 20 may be arranged tosense the lost item 14 on a point 30 relative to a spherical coordinatesystem 32 in FIG. 3 to define a sensed item data. In one embodiment, thepoint 30 relative to the spherical coordinate system 32 is defined by adistance r, a first angle (θ), and a second angle (φ). Moreover, thelost item 14 may be translated in cartesian coordinates having anx-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθ

In one example, the sensor 20 is arranged to have two of roll, pitch,and yaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses from a fixedlocation in the vehicle compartment 18. That is, the sensor 20 may havea body 34 fixedly disposed in the vehicle compartment 18 and a lens 36disposed within the body 34. Moreover, the lens 36 may be arranged forrotational movements, e.g., roll, pitch, and yaw, during operation.

In another example, the sensor 20 is arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses intranslational movement along the x-axis such that the first angle θ iscalculated as:

$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$

Translational movement of the sensor 20 may include forward/backwardmovement, side to side movement, and up/down movement. Thus, a sensorbody 34 may be disposed in the vehicle compartment 18 and arranged to bemovable along one of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis for translationalmovement. As an example, the sensor 20 may have a body 34 movablydisposed along a linear track (forward/backward movement) on a portionof an interior panel of the vehicle compartment 18. A lens 36 may bedisposed within the body 34 and arranged for rotational movements, e.g.,roll, pitch, and yaw.

In yet another example, the sensor 20 is arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses intranslational movement along the x-axis and y-axis such that the secondangle φ is calculated as:

$\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$

As in the previous embodiment, translational movement of the sensor 20may include forward/backward movement, side to side movement, andup/down movement. Thus, a sensor body 34 may be disposed in the vehiclecompartment 18 and arranged to be movable along the x-axis and y-axis(e.g., forward/backward and side to side movements) for translationalmovement. For example, the sensor may have a body 34 movably disposedalong a circular track on a portion of an interior panel of the vehiclecompartment 18. A lens 36 may be disposed within the body 34 andarranged for rotational movement, e.g., roll, pitch, and yaw.

The sensor may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor. Thatis, the sensor may have an RFID reader and an object may have an RFIDtag, allowing the sensor to detect the sensed item data and the positiondata. The RFID tag may provide readable data of the user and the objectthereby providing information as to ownership of the lost item 14 andlocation/destination of the user.

It is to be understood that the sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor, aradio frequency identification sensor, a radar sensor, or any othersuitable sensor without departing from the spirit or scope of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the system 10 further comprises an electroniccontrol unit (ECU) 22 disposed in the vehicle 16. As depicted, the ECU22 is in communication with the sensor 20 and a handheld device 26 ofthe owner 12 of the lost item 14. It is to be understood that the ECU 22comprises modules and algorithms to assist in controlling the system 10.

Moreover, the ECU 22 is arranged to determine a position of the lostitem 14 in cartesian coordinates based on the sensed item data to definea position data. The position of the lost item 14 may be determined in anumber of ways. For instance, as discussed above in one example, thesensor 20 is arranged to have at least two of roll, pitch, and yawrotational movements when the sensor 20 senses from a fixed location inthe vehicle compartment 18. That is, the sensor 20 may have a body 34fixedly disposed in the vehicle compartment 18 and a lens 36 disposedwithin the body 34. Furthermore, the lens 36 may be arranged forrotational movements, e.g., roll, pitch, and yaw, during operation tosense the lost item 14.

Based on the sensed item data from the sensor 20, the lost item 14 maybe translated by the ECU 22 in cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθthereby allowing the ECU 22 to determine the position of the lost item14 in cartesian coordinates defining the position data.

The position of the lost item 14 may be determined in another suitablemanner. For instance, as discussed above, the sensor 20 may be arrangedto have at least one of roll, pitch, and yaw rotational movements whenthe sensor 20 senses from translational movement along the x-axis in thevehicle compartment 18 such that the first angle θ is calculated as:

$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$

Based on the sensed item data from the sensor 20, the lost item 14 maybe translated by the ECU 22 in cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθthereby allowing the ECU 22 to determine the position of the lost item14 in cartesian coordinates defining the position data.

The position of the lost item 14 may be determined in yet anothersuitable manner. For instance, as discussed above in another example,the sensor 20 may be arranged to have at least one of roll, pitch, andyaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses from translationalmovement along the x-axis and y-axis in the vehicle compartment 18 suchthat the second angle φ is calculated as:

${\varphi = {\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}},$

Based on the sensed item data from the sensor 20, the lost item 14 maybe translated by the ECU 22 in cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθthereby allowing the ECU 22 to determine the position of the lost item14 in cartesian coordinates defining the position data.

The ECU 22 is further arranged to translate the sensed item data and theposition data for visualization of the lost item 14 to define an itemimage of the lost item 14 relative to the vehicle compartment 18. Basedon the sensed item data and the position data, By way of algorithmicmodules, the ECU 22 is able to translate the sensed item and theposition data to the item image, thereby providing an image of the lostitem 14 along with a location of thereof relative to the sensor 20 inthe vehicle compartment 18. It is to be understood that the ECU 22 maycomprise modules and algorithms to assist in translating the sensed itemdata and the position data to output the item image and provide alocation of the lost item 14.

Additionally, the ECU 22 is arranged to update an inventory list of lostobjects to include the lost item 14 with the item image. The inventorylist is preferably stored in the ECU 22 and may comprise a “lost”database of left-behind or lost objects in the vehicle compartment 18.To detect an object has been left-behind or lost, the ECU 22 maycomprise an object detection module arranged to compare images of thevehicle compartment 18. Such images may be intermittently captured bythe sensor 20 as desired. The object detection module may comprise afirst perception algorithm that compares images or data of the vehiclecompartment 18. As new objects and new users are detected and paired,data of each new object is record in an object database. Along the samelines, left-behind or lost objects may also be detected as users enterand leave the vehicle compartment 18 with and without their respectiveobjects. Objects detected without the paired users may be determined tobe “lost” by way of the first perception algorithm. Data of each “lost”object is recorded in the “lost” database.

Furthermore, the ECU 22 is arranged to identify the owner 12 of the lostitem 14 during a trip of the vehicle 16. Generally, the owner 12 of alost item 14 may be identified by the ECU 22 by way of a user detectionmodule. In one example, the user detection module may be arranged tocompare images of the vehicle compartment 18. Such images may beintermittently captured by the sensor 20 as desired. The user detectionmodule may comprise a second perception algorithm that compares imagesor data of the vehicle compartment 18. As new objects and users aredetected and paired, data of each new user is recorded in a database. Aslost objects are detected, the user that is paired with the lost objectmay be identified by way of the second perception algorithm. Data ofeach user having a lost object may be recorded in a “user” database.

In another example, by way of the ECU 22 with the user detection module,the user/owner 12 of a lost item 14 can be found/identified by recordingan identifier of the trip having a trip identification (ID) during whichthe lost item 14 was detected in the vehicle 16. Subsequently, the tripID and the owner 12 of the lost item 14 may be matched through a searchin a database of trip IDs and users.

Such matching by the ECU 22 may occur in the following steps. In a firststep, a new item in the vehicle 16 is identified upon vehicle entry bythe user with the new item. The sensor 20 senses and identifies the newitem in the vehicle 16. That is, based on a comparison of images/data(e.g., via the user detection module), the new item is identified in thevehicle compartment 18. Thus, the new item had not been present prior tothe user entering the vehicle 16.

In a second step, the new item remains in the vehicle after the tripends and/or the user paired therewith has left the vehicle. By way of aperception algorithm of the ECU 22, the item may be confirmed as avaluable item, e.g., a bag pack, a tablet, a wallet, a bag. In a thirdstep, the item is tagged as “left behind during trip xxx,” where xxx isa unique ID of the trip based on time and potentially location such as astart point and an end point.

In a fourth step, the ECU 22 having a user database that matches vehicleusers with trip IDs is accessed to match the lost item 14 with its owner12 by matching trip ID to user ID. Such database may be the same orsimilar to any suitable user database used for identifying users,matching a passenger with a vehicle/driver, and charging the passengerfor a pickup/rental service.

Alternatively, there may be other methods of identifying the owner 12 ofa left-behind item without departing from the spirit or scope of thepresent disclosure. One additional method may include situations wherethe vehicle has an identification mechanism (e.g., for payments or forpersonalization). When a user enters the vehicle, the user may log in toa vehicle either manually or as detected by an identification mechanismin the vehicle. The vehicle then can keep track of users in the vehicle.Examples of such identification mechanisms include a fingerprintmechanism, face ID using camera mechanism, phone pairing mechanism, andmanual login into an infotainment system.

Another method of identifying the owner 12 may include situations wherethe vehicle records an image of the driver's face, which can be uploadedto a service that then uses facial identification.

Yet another method of identifying the owner 12 may include situationswhere a manual request from the owner/user 12 of the lost item 14 can beused to search within a database of lost items.

In still another method of identifying the owner 12 and within apredefined space, a user's pathway and location of the left-behindobject can be generated by the ECU 22 with a location module having alocation algorithm. Given that the user's pathway is also the objectlocation before the object is left behind, the location module isarranged to retrieve the object path. The object path is then matchedwith the user path. As an example, the user path may be obtained byusing the user's ticket/cell phone location/facial ID. An object can beassigned to a user when a user's time stamp of the path overlaps thetime of the object path.

Yet another method of identifying the owner 12 may include situationswhere radio frequency identification (RFID) is used. In such situations,the owner's information can also be included in an RFID tag.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the system 10 further comprises a cloud server 24disposed remotely from the vehicle 16. As shown, the cloud server 24 isin communication with the ECU 22. In a preferred embodiment, the cloudserver 24 is arranged to provide notification to the owner 12 of thelost item 14. When the ECU 22 identifies the owner 12 of the lost item14 as described above, the ECU 22 sends a signal to the cloud server 24to inform or notify the owner 12 that an item has been left behind inthe vehicle compartment 18.

For example, the cloud server 24 may notify a user by way of anapplication downloaded on the user's handheld device or phone 26. Anotification may be sent to the user from the application, informing theuser that a lost item 14 has been detected in the vehicle compartment 18and that the user has been identified as the owner 12 thereof. It is tobe understood that the cloud server 24 may notify the owner 12 of a lostitem 14 by email, text message, phone call, voice mail, or any othersuitable manner without departing from the scope or spirit of thepresent disclosure.

Moreover, the cloud server 24 is arranged to provide viewable access ofthe item image such that the image is viewed by the owner 12 of the lostitem 14. That is, the ECU 22 may transmit the item image of the lostitem 14 to the cloud server 24 which may be downloaded by the user forviewable access. It is to be understood that the image may be a picturethat was captured or a digital visualized shape that was generated usingdata from the sensor. A user may view the item image by way of the phoneapplication. It is to be understood that the cloud server 24 may provideviewable access of the item image by email, text message, or any othersuitable manner without departing from the scope or spirit of thepresent disclosure.

Additionally, by way of a phone/website application, a user may initiatea search for lost objects, thereby facilitating a way for a user toindependently check for lost items that have been paired therewith asidefrom any notifications from the cloud server 24.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a general method 110 of notifying an owner12 for the system 10 in FIG. 1 in accordance with one example of thepresent disclosure. As shown, the method 110 comprises the system 10sensing a presence of the lost item 14 to define a sensed item data inbox 112, translating the sensed item data and position data forvisualization of the lost item 14 to define an item image in box 114,and determining a location/position of the lost item 14 to define aposition data in box 116. Moreover, the general method 110 furthercomprises updating an inventory list of lost objects with the item imageand its corresponding data and identifying the owner 12 of the lost item14 in box 118. As shown, the general method 110 comprises allowing auser to initiate a search of the lost item 14 in box 120 and allowingmanual correction of the inventory list in box 122. Furthermore, thegeneral method 110 comprises notifying the owner 12 by way ofin-vehicle/mobile notifications and allowing viewable access of the itemimage in box 124.

In accordance with one example of the present disclosure, FIG. 5 depictsa flowchart of a method 210 of notifying an owner 12 of a lost item 14in a vehicle 16 having a vehicle compartment 18 implemented by thesystem 10 of FIG. 1 . As shown, the method 210 comprises a step 212 ofproviding at least one sensor 20 to sense the lost item 14 in thevehicle compartment 18. As discussed above for the system 10, the atleast one sensor 20 may be an ultrasonic sensor and is disposed in thevehicle compartment 18. However, it is to be understood that the sensormay be an ultrasonic sensor, a radio frequency identification sensor, aradar sensor, or any other suitable sensor without departing from thespirit or scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the method 210 further comprises a step 214 ofsensing the lost item 14 on a point 30 relative to a sphericalcoordinate system 32 (FIG. 3 ) to define a sensed item data. Asdiscussed, the sensor 20 may be arranged to sense the lost item 14 on apoint 30 relative to a spherical coordinate system 32 to define a senseditem data. In one embodiment, the point 30 relative to the sphericalcoordinate system 32 is defined by a distance r, a first angle (θ), anda second angle (φ). Moreover, the lost item 14 may be translated incartesian coordinates having an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis derivedas,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθ

In one example, the sensor 20 is arranged to have two of roll, pitch,and yaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses from a fixedlocation in the vehicle compartment 18. That is, the sensor 20 may havea body 34 fixedly disposed in the vehicle compartment 18 and a lens 36disposed within the body 34. Moreover, the lens 36 may be arranged forrotational movements, e.g., roll, pitch, and yaw, during operation.

In another example, the sensor 20 is arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses intranslational movement along the x-axis such that the first angle θ iscalculated as:

$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$

Translational movement of the sensor 20 may include forward/backwardmovement, side to side movement, and up/down movement. Thus, a sensorbody 34 may be disposed in the vehicle compartment 18 and arranged to bemovable along one of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis for translationalmovement. As an example, the sensor may have a body 34 movably disposedalong a linear track (forward/backward movement) on a portion of aninterior panel of the vehicle compartment 18. A lens 36 may be disposedwithin the body 34 and arranged for rotational movements, e.g., roll,pitch, and yaw.

In yet another example, the sensor 20 is arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses intranslational movement along the x-axis and y-axis such that the secondangle φ is calculated as:

$\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$

As in the previous embodiment, translational movement of the sensor 20may include forward/backward movement, side to side movement, andup/down movement. Thus, a sensor body 34 may be disposed in the vehiclecompartment 18 and arranged to be movable along the x-axis and y-axis(e.g., forward/backward and side to side movements) for translationalmovement. For example, the sensor may have a body 34 movably disposedalong a circular track on a portion of an interior panel of the vehiclecompartment 18. A lens 36 may be disposed within the body 34 andarranged for rotational movement, e.g., roll, pitch, and yaw.

The method 210 further comprises a step 216 of determining a position ofthe lost item 14 in cartesian coordinates based on the sensed item datato define a position data. As discussed above, the ECU 22 is arranged todetermine a position of the lost item 14 in cartesian coordinates basedon the sensed item data to define a position data. The position of thelost item 14 may be determined in a number of ways. For instance, asdiscussed above in one example, the sensor 20 is arranged to have atleast two of roll, pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor20 senses from a fixed location in the vehicle compartment 18. That is,the sensor may have a body 34 fixedly disposed in the vehiclecompartment 18 and a lens 36 disposed within the body 34. Furthermore,the lens 36 may be arranged for rotational movements, e.g., roll, pitch,and yaw, during operation to sense the lost item 14.

Based on the sensed item data from the sensor 20, the lost item 14 maybe translated by the ECU 22 in cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθthereby allowing the ECU 22 to determine the position of the lost item14 in cartesian coordinates defining the position data.

The position of the lost item 14 may be determined in another suitablemanner. For instance, as discussed above, the sensor 20 may be arrangedto have at least one of roll, pitch, and yaw rotational movements whenthe sensor 20 senses from translational movement along the x-axis in thevehicle compartment 18 such that the first angle θ is calculated as:

$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$

Based on the sensed item data from the sensor 20, the lost item 14 maybe translated by the ECU 22 in cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθthereby allowing the ECU 22 to determine the position of the lost item14 in cartesian coordinates defining the position data.

The position of the lost item 14 may be determined in yet anothersuitable manner. For instance, as discussed above in another example,the sensor 20 may be arranged to have at least one of roll, pitch, andyaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses from translationalmovement along the x-axis and y-axis in the vehicle compartment 18 suchthat the second angle φ is calculated as:

${\varphi = {\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}},$

Based on the sensed item data from the sensor 20, the lost item 14 maybe translated by the ECU 22 in cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθthereby allowing the ECU 22 to determine the position of the lost item14 in cartesian coordinates defining the position data.

The method 210 further comprises a step 218 of translating the senseditem data and the position data for visualization of the lost item 14 todefine an item image of the lost item 14 relative to the vehiclecompartment 18. As described for the system 10 above, the ECU 22 isarranged to translate the sensed item data and the position data forvisualization of the lost item 14 to define an item image of the lostitem 14 relative to the vehicle compartment 18. Based on the sensed itemdata and the position data, by way of algorithmic modules, the ECU 22 isable to translate the sensed item and the position data to the itemimage, thereby providing an image of the lost item 14 along with alocation of thereof relative to the sensor 20 in the vehicle compartment18. It is to be understood that the ECU 22 may comprise modules andalgorithms to assist in translating the sensed item data and theposition data to output the item image and provide a location of thelost item 14.

The method 210 further comprises a step 220 of updating an inventorylist of lost objects to include the lost item 14 with the item image. Asdescribed above, the ECU 22 is arranged to update an inventory list oflost objects to include the lost item 14 with the item image. Theinventory list is preferably stored in the ECU 22 and may comprise a“lost” database of left-behind or lost objects in the vehiclecompartment 18. To detect an object has been left-behind or lost, theECU 22 may comprise an object detection module arranged to compareimages of the vehicle compartment 18. Such images may be intermittentlycaptured by the sensor 20 as desired. The object detection module maycomprise a first perception algorithm that compares images or data ofthe vehicle compartment 18. As new objects and new users are detectedand paired, data of each new object is record in an object database.Along the same lines, left-behind or lost objects may also be detectedas users enter and leave the vehicle compartment 18 with and withouttheir respective objects. Objects detected without the paired users maybe determined to be “lost” by way of the first perception algorithm.Data of each “lost” object is recorded in the “lost” database.

The method 210 further comprises a step 222 of identifying the owner 12of the lost item 14 by way of a perception algorithm. As stated above,the ECU 22 is arranged to identify the owner 12 of the lost item 14during a trip of the vehicle 16. Generally, the owner 12 of a lost item14 may be identified by the ECU 22 by way of a user detection module. Inone example, the user detection module may be arranged to compare imagesof the vehicle compartment 18. Such images may be intermittentlycaptured by the sensor 20 as desired. The user detection module maycomprise a second perception algorithm that compares images or data ofthe vehicle compartment 18. As new objects and users are detected andpaired, data of each new user is recorded in a database. As lost objectsare detected, the user that is paired with the lost object may beidentified by way of the second perception algorithm. Data of each userhaving a lost object may be recorded in a “user” database.

In another example, by way of the ECU 22 with the user detection module,the user/owner 12 of a lost item 14 can be found/identified by recordingan identifier of the trip having a trip identification (ID) during whichthe lost item 14 was detected in the vehicle 16. Subsequently, the tripID and the owner 12 of the lost item 14 may be matched through a searchin a database of trip IDs and users.

As mentioned above, such matching by the ECU 22 may occur in thefollowing steps. In a first step, a new item in the vehicle 16 isidentified upon vehicle entry by the user with the new item. The sensor20 senses and identifies the new item in the vehicle. That is, based ona comparison of images/data (e.g., via the user detection module), thenew item is identified in the vehicle compartment 18. Thus, the new itemhad not been present prior to the user entering the vehicle.

In a second step, the new item remains in the vehicle after the tripends and/or the user paired therewith has left the vehicle. By way of aperception algorithm of the ECU 22, the item may be confirmed as avaluable item, e.g., a bag pack, a tablet, a wallet, a bag. In a thirdstep, the item is tagged as “left behind during trip xxx,” where xxx isa unique ID of the trip based on time and potentially location such as astart point and an end point.

In a fourth step, the ECU 22 having a user database that matches vehicleusers with trip IDs is accessed to match the lost item 14 with its owner12 by matching trip ID to user ID. Such database may be the same orsimilar to any suitable user database used for identifying users,matching a passenger with a vehicle/driver, and charging the passengerfor a pickup/rental service.

Alternatively, there may be other methods of identifying the owner 12 ofa left-behind item without departing from the spirit or scope of thepresent disclosure.

The method 210 further comprises a step 224 of providing notification tothe owner 12 of the lost item 14. As provided above, the cloud server 24is arranged to provide notification to the owner 12 of the lost item 14.When the ECU 22 identifies the owner 12 of the lost item 14 as describedabove, the ECU 22 sends a signal to the cloud server 24 to inform ornotify the owner 12 that an item has been left behind in the vehiclecompartment 18. For example, the cloud server 24 may notify a user byway of an application downloaded on the user's phone. A notification maybe sent to the user from the application, informing the user that a lostitem 14 has been detected in the vehicle compartment 18 and that theuser has been identified as the owner 12 thereof. It is to be understoodthat the cloud server 24 may notify the owner 12 of a lost item 14 byemail, text message, phone call, voice mail, or any other suitablemanner without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentdisclosure.

The method 210 further comprises a step 226 of providing viewable accessof the item image such that the image is viewed by the owner 12 of thelost item 14. As discussed for the system 10, the cloud server 24 isarranged to provide viewable access of the item image such that theimage is viewed by the owner 12 of the lost item 14. That is, the ECU 22may transmit the item image of the lost item 14 to the cloud server 24which may be downloaded by the user for viewable access. A user may viewthe item image by way of the phone application. It is to be understoodthat the cloud server 24 may provide viewable access of the item imageby email, text message, or any other suitable manner without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.

Additionally, by way of a phone/website application, a user may initiatea search for lost objects, thereby facilitating a way for a user toindependently check for lost items that have been paired therewith asidefrom any notifications from the cloud server 24.

In accordance with another example of the present disclosure, FIG. 6depicts a flowchart of a method 310 of notifying an owner 12 of a lostitem 14 in a vehicle 16 having a vehicle compartment 18 implemented bythe system 10 of FIG. 1 . As shown, the method 310 comprises providingat least one sensor 20 to sense the lost item 14 in the vehiclecompartment 18 in box 312. Moreover, the method 310 further comprisessensing the lost item 14 on a point 30 relative to a sphericalcoordinate system 32 (FIG. 3 ) to define a sensed item data in box 314.In this aspect, the point 30 is defined by a distance r, a first angle(θ), and a second angle (φ). The lost item 14 has cartesian coordinateshaving an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis derived as,

x=r sinθcosφy=r sinθsinφz=r cosθ

The method 310 further comprises determining a position of the lost item14 in cartesian coordinates based on the sensed item data to define aposition data in box 316. The sensor 20 is arranged to have two of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses in a fixedlocation in the vehicle compartment 18, wherein the sensor 20 isarranged to have one of roll, pitch, and yaw rotational movements whenthe sensor 20 senses in movement along the x-axis such that the firstangle θ is calculated as:

$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$

In this aspect, the sensor 20 is arranged to have one of roll, pitch,and yaw rotational movements when the sensor 20 senses in movement alongthe x-axis and y-axis such that the second angle φ is calculated as:

$\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$

Moreover, the method 310 comprises translating the sensed item data andthe position data for visualization of the lost item 14 to define anitem image of the lost item 14 relative to the vehicle compartment 18 inbox 318. Further, the method 310 comprises updating an inventory list oflost objects to include the lost item 14 with the item image in box 320.Additionally, the method 310 comprises identifying the owner 12 of thelost item 14 by way of a perception algorithm in box 322. The method 310further comprises providing notification to the owner 12 of the lostitem 14 in box 324. Furthermore, the method 310 comprises providingviewable access of the item image such that the image is viewed by theowner 12 of the lost item 14 in box 326.

The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in natureand variations that do not depart from the gist of the presentdisclosure are intended to be within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of notifying an owner of a lost item ina vehicle having a vehicle compartment, the method comprising: providingat least one sensor to sense the lost item in the vehicle compartment;sensing the lost item on a point relative to a spherical coordinatesystem to define a sensed item data; determining a position of the lostitem in cartesian coordinates based on the sensed item data to define aposition data; translating the sensed item data and the position datafor visualization of the lost item to define an item image of the lostitem relative to the vehicle compartment; updating an inventory list oflost objects to include the lost item with the item image; identifyingthe owner of the lost item by way of a perception algorithm; providingnotification to the owner of the lost item; and providing viewableaccess of the item image such that the image is viewed by the owner ofthe lost item.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the point relative tothe spherical coordinate system is defined by a distance r, a firstangle (θ), and a second angle (φ), wherein the lost item has cartesiancoordinates having an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis derived as, x=rsinθcosφ y=r sinθsinφ z=r cosθ
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the stepof determining the position of the lost item comprises the sensor beingarranged to have two of roll, pitch, and yaw rotational movements whenthe sensor senses in a fixed location in the vehicle compartment.
 4. Themethod of claim 2 wherein the step of determining the position of thelost item comprises the sensor being arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor senses in movementalong the x-axis such that the first angle θ is calculated as:$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$
 5. The methodof claim 2 wherein the step of determining the position of the lost itemcomprises the sensor being arranged to have one of roll, pitch, and yawrotational movements when the sensor senses in movement along the x-axisand y-axis such that the second angle φ is calculated as:$\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$
 6. The method ofclaim 2 wherein the at least one sensor is fixedly disposed in thevehicle compartment.
 7. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least onesensor is disposed in the vehicle compartment and movable along thex-axis.
 8. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor isdisposed in the vehicle compartment and movable along the x-axis andy-axis.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least on sensor is oneof an ultrasonic sensor and an RFID sensor.
 10. The method of claim 1wherein the step of identifying the owner of the lost item comprises:scanning the vehicle compartment; detecting the user in the vehiclecompartment; pairing the user with the lost item by way of theperception algorithm.
 11. A system for notifying an owner of a lost itemin a vehicle having a vehicle compartment, the system comprising: atleast one sensor disposed in the vehicle compartment and arranged tosense the lost item on a point relative to a spherical coordinate systemto define a sensed item data; an electronic control unit (ECU) disposedin the vehicle and in communication with the at least one sensor, theECU arranged to determine a position of the lost item in cartesiancoordinates based on the sensed item data to define a position data, theECU arranged to translate the sensed item data and the position data forvisualization of the lost item to define an item image of the lost itemrelative to the vehicle compartment, the ECU arranged to update aninventory list of lost objects to include the lost item with the itemimage, the ECU arranged to identify the owner of the lost item by way ofa perception algorithm; and a cloud server disposed remotely from thevehicle and in communication with the ECU, the cloud server arranged toprovide notification to the owner of the lost item, the cloud serverarranged to provide viewable access of the item image such that theimage is viewed by the owner of the lost item.
 12. The system of claim11 wherein the point relative to the spherical coordinate system isdefined by a distance r, a first angle (θ), and a second angle (φ),wherein the lost item has cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as, x=r sinθcosφ y=r sinθsinφ z=r cosθ 13.The system of claim 12 wherein the ECU is arranged to determine aposition of the lost item comprises the sensor being arranged to havetwo of roll, pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor sensesin a fixed location in the vehicle compartment.
 14. The system of claim12 wherein the ECU is arranged to determine a position of the lost itemcomprises the sensor being arranged to have one of roll, pitch, and yawrotational movements when the sensor senses in movement along the x-axissuch that the first angle θ is calculated as:$\theta = {\sin^{- 1}{\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}.}}$
 15. The systemof claim 12 wherein the ECU is arranged to determine a position of thelost item comprises the sensor being arranged to have one of roll,pitch, and yaw rotational movements when the sensor senses in movementalong the x-axis and y-axis such that the second angle φ is calculatedas: $\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$
 16. The systemof claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is fixedly disposed in thevehicle compartment.
 17. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least onesensor is disposed in the vehicle compartment and movable along thex-axis.
 18. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor isdisposed in the vehicle compartment and movable along the x-axis andy-axis.
 19. The system of claim wherein the at least on sensor is one ofan ultrasonic sensor and an RFID sensor.
 20. A method of notifying anowner of a lost item in a vehicle having a vehicle compartment, themethod comprising: providing at least one sensor to sense the lost itemin the vehicle compartment; sensing the lost item on a point relative toa spherical coordinate system to define a sensed item data, the pointbeing defined by a distance r, a first angle (θ), and a second angle(φ), wherein the lost item has cartesian coordinates having an x-axis, ay-axis, and a z-axis derived as, x=r sinθcosφ y=r sinθsinφ z=r cosθdetermining a position of the lost item in cartesian coordinates basedon the sensed item data to define a position data, wherein the sensor isarranged to have two of roll, pitch, and yaw rotational movements whenthe sensor senses in a fixed location in the vehicle compartment,wherein the sensor is arranged to have one of roll, pitch, and yawrotational movements when the sensor senses in movement along the x-axissuch that the first angle θ is calculated as:${\theta = {\sin^{- 1}\frac{x}{{r \cdot \cos}\varphi}}},$ wherein thesensor is arranged to have one of roll, pitch, and yaw rotationalmovements when the sensor senses in movement along the x-axis and y-axissuch that the second angle φ is calculated as:$\varphi = {{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{y}{x} \right)}.}$ translating thesensed item data and the position data for visualization of the lostitem to define an item image of the lost item relative to the vehiclecompartment; updating an inventory list of lost objects to include thelost item with the item image; identifying the owner of the lost item byway of a perception algorithm; providing notification to the owner ofthe lost item; and providing viewable access of the item image such thatthe image is viewed by the owner of the lost item.